Saltwater Games Expands XR Gaming Frontier with Animoca Brands and Sequence

Merging Gaming Giants and XR Innovation

Saltwater Games, a UK-based immersive gaming powerhouse, is making waves in the Web3 gaming industry.

The company, through the acquisition of three studios – Nexus Labs, Maze Theory, and Saltwater Labs – is carving a niche for itself at the intersection of cutting-edge technology and captivating gameplay experiences.

Here's a breakdown of their recent developments.

Animoca Brands Joins the $XR Token Party

Saltwater Games has secured a strategic investment from Animoca Brands, a leader in digital property rights and the open metaverse.

This move marks a significant collaboration within the Web3 gaming industry, with Animoca Brands participating in the seed SAFT round for Saltwater Games' $XR Token.

With over 241,300 followers on X platform, the Saltwater Games community is abuzz with excitement and congratulations following their partnership with Animoca Brands.

Animoca Brands' investment in Saltwater Games' $XR Token signifies a powerful alliance within the Web3 gaming industry.

XR One is poised to integrate with various functionalities of Animoca Brands' marquee growth network, Mocaverse.

This integration aims to unlock a treasure trove of cross-community benefits, specifically designed to enhance the competitive spirit within live-ops gaming experiences.

Mocaverse, spearheaded by Animoca Brands, features an interoperable infrastructure layer that incorporates Account, Identity, Reputation, and PointFi systems.

This robust infrastructure, along with XR One's commitment to providing a secure and scalable ecosystem for gamers to manage their digital assets, creates a seamless onboarding experience for traditional gamers, even those unfamiliar with the intricacies of Web3.

Yat Siu, Co-founder and Executive Chairman of Animoca Brands, expressed his enthusiasm for the collaboration, stating:

“Saltwater Games has a track record of building great immersive experiences for globally recognisable IPs, and the launch of its multi-game chain XR One aligns well with our shared ambition to onboard the roughly 3.2 billion gamers around the world into Web3 gaming. Together, our projects will emphasise the value of true digital ownership in game experiences as we continue to advance the open metaverse.”

Len Findlay, CEO of Saltwater Games, expresses his delight at partnering with Animoca Brands, calling them a "powerhouse" in the Web3 gaming space.

What is XR One?

Building upon a grant from the Arbitrum Foundation, Saltwater Labs co-developed XR One, a Layer 3 Orbit chain that leverages the robust ecosystem of technologies offered by Arbitrum.

Powered by its native $XR Token, XR One boasts a roadmap brimming with exciting possibilities. The upcoming years (2024 and 2025) will see the integration of numerous live-ops Web3 titles onto the XR One network.

On X platform, the project currently boasts support from over 61,200 followers.

$XR Token Fueling the XR One Ecosystem

The $XR Token serves as the lifeblood of the XR One network, with its utility extending beyond the realm of the XR One chain itself.

Players can utilise $XR Tokens across various marketplaces, AI and UGC tools, security features, partner ecosystems, and even participate in the governance of the XR One network.

Maze Theory Marking A New Chapter in Immersive Gaming

Maze Theory, the award-winning London-based immersive entertainment studio renowned for their captivating VR titles like "Peaky Blinders: The King's Ransom" and "Doctor Who: The Edge of Time," is now a subsidiary of Saltwater Games and continues to push the boundaries of immersive gaming experiences.

Here's an example of the game "Doctor Who: The Edge of Time":

Their latest creation, Infinite Inside, is a highly anticipated mixed reality puzzle-adventure game slated for release on 12 July 2024.

This innovative title will be available on a variety of platforms, including Meta Quest 3, Quest 2 and Quest Pro, Pico 4 (with mixed reality support), Playstation VR 2, and SteamVR.

“Infinite Inside” is a Glimpse into a Dreamlike World

Infinite Inside promises to be a captivating adventure, seamlessly blending augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) to create a truly immersive experience.

Players will find themselves transported to a tranquil, dreamlike world upon interacting with a mysterious artefact known as the Plinth.

Guided by echoes of past explorers, players must collect shards, solve intricate 3D puzzles, and assemble keys to unlock the secrets of a hidden society.

Early reviews have been overwhelmingly positive, praising the game's innovative use of mixed reality and its captivating atmosphere.

Partnering with Sequence to Bring Blockchain to Traditional Gamers

Saltwater Games' commitment to innovation extends beyond acquisitions and in-house development.

The company has also entered into a strategic partnership with Sequence.

Sequence's all-in-one development stack will empower Saltwater Games to seamlessly integrate blockchain features into their games built on XR One.

This collaboration ensures a smooth transition for traditional gamers unfamiliar with Web3, allowing them to dive headfirst into the exciting world of play-to-earn experiences.

The Masterminds Behind the Innovation

Saltwater Games was founded through a gradual ramp-up starting in June 2023, as the founding team members gradually quit their jobs, which included CEO and Co-founder Len Findlay, a visionary leader based in Dubai, AE.

Findlay is a serial entrepreneur with over 25 years of experience, has achieved multiple significant exits globally in Technology Systems Integration, CyberSecurity, and beyond. (Screenshot of Findlay's X profile)

Other founding team members:

David Plisek

Chief Operating Officer

Social: Linkedin

Christopher Abbott

Chief Strategy Officer

Social: Linkedin | X

Ian Howarth

Partner & Chief Creative Officer

Social: Linkedin | X

The company is comprised of three distinct studios, each with its own area of expertise, Saltwater Games offers a well-rounded approach to game development and publishing:

• Nexus Labs: Specialises in developing and publishing community-driven, live-service Web3 games.
• Maze Theory: A renowned studio known for creating premium VR and spatial gaming experiences.
• Saltwater Labs: An innovation hub dedicated to exploring and integrating cutting-edge technologies like Web3 and AI into the gaming sphere.

In February 2024, Saltwater Games successfully secured $5.5 million in seed funding led by DeusX, 4RC, and Primal Capital. This funding fueled their ambitious plans to propel Web3 gaming forward.

This financial backing will fuel Saltwater Games' ambitious plans to expand its operations, invest in innovative technologies, and establish a foothold in new territories.

Tim Grant, the CEO of Deus X and a former executive at the digital asset powerhouse Galaxy Digital, joined Saltwater Games as Chairman as part of the funding deal.

Screenshot from Grant's Linkedin

Deus X, launched in October 2023 with a family office backing and a staggering $1 billion in assets, brings a wealth of experience and resources to the table.

Under Grant's leadership, Saltwater Games is poised to leverage the recent funding influx to expand its operations globally, invest in cutting-edge technologies, and bolster its workforce with talented individuals.

The Future of XR Gaming

With a team of over 60 in-house developers and a clear vision for the future of gaming, Saltwater Games is well-positioned to become a major player in the Web3 gaming industry.

Their focus on immersive technologies, community-driven gaming, and leveraging the power of blockchain technology is paving the way for a new era of player interaction and ownership within the gaming world.

As Saltwater Games continues to foster strong partnerships, prioritise player experience, and invest in the future of XR technology, we can only expect even more innovative experiences to emerge from this forward-thinking gaming studio.